Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with Austria’s state broadcaster that indirect contacts between Tehran and Washington are continuing, with mediators including Pakistan and Qatar facilitating the exchange of messages between the two sides.
Baghaei said, “The Americans are exchanging messages with us, and under the current circumstances, mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, are active and are conveying messages between the parties.”
He also stressed that the existence of an appropriate framework is essential before any talks can begin, claiming that the United States has undermined such a framework.
Three European Embassies in Tehran Evacuate Staff Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Baghaei also claimed: “Negotiations aimed at dictating or imposing demands will certainly not be acceptable to us.”
His remarks came after he also stated on Sunday, without providing details, that there had been “progress” in discussions and exchanges between Tehran and Muscat, the capital of Oman.
His comments followed the departure of an Omani delegation from Iran on Saturday evening after it had traveled to Tehran for consultations regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil Prices Fall More Than 5% Amid Hopes for Continued Talks
As speculation grew over the possibility of continued negotiations between the Iranian regime and the United States, and after two consecutive nights without a U.S. military strike on Iran, oil prices fell by more than 5% at the opening of Monday’s trading in Asian markets.
In Monday morning trading, the price of Brent crude fell by 5.58% to $91.38 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also declined by 5.46%, reaching $84.43 per barrel.
